NAHCON Denies Flynas Rejected Ogun Airport for Hajj Operations
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refuted reports claiming that Saudi airline, Flynas, rejected the newly commissioned Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ogun State, for Hajj operations, describing the reports as false and misleading.
NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, made the clarification while reacting to media reports linking the temporary relocation of Ogun State pilgrims to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, to alleged concerns raised by the airline over the suitability of the Gateway Airport.
According to the commission, the adjustment was purely based on operational logistics and flight scheduling considerations connected to the ongoing 2026 Hajj airlift exercise.
Ambassador Yusuf stressed that Flynas at no time declared the airport unsafe or unsuitable for international operations.
“The decision followed a careful review of flight logistics, turnaround timelines and broader coordination of the ongoing Hajj airlift operations. At no point did Flynas reject Gateway International Airport,” he stated.
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He explained that Hajj operations involve complex international scheduling arrangements tied to Saudi aviation windows, aircraft rotation plans, and the coordination of pilgrim movement across multiple states.
The NAHCON chairman noted that operational adjustments of this nature are common during large-scale pilgrimage exercises and should not be misinterpreted.
He urged intending pilgrims and members of the public to disregard what he described as speculative narratives aimed at creating panic and discrediting the airport project.
Ambassador Yusuf maintained that the Gateway International Airport remains a functional and approved facility capable of handling international operations.
He further assured affected pilgrims that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure their safe and timely transportation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj.
The NAHCON boss also commended the Ogun State Government for its cooperation and support throughout the exercise.
He appealed to pilgrims and their families to remain calm and patient, emphasizing that the safety, welfare, and successful participation of Nigerian pilgrims remain the commission’s top priority.
By PRNigeria
